How to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are becoming ever more popular, whether you are entertaining a large group at an event or you are having a one-on-one evening with a friend or loved one. They’re a great way to put out snacks when you are hosting a small group, and they’re the perfect option if you are looking for something a little different when hosting a party.

Charcuterie boards may as well be an art form for preparing cured, smoked meats and cheeses. Of course, many people out there are making their own versions of charcuterie boards these days, with sweet snacks and fruits, but it’s the traditional charcuterie boards that really capture the attention!

There are endless variations that are possible with charcuterie boards. You can change the fruit and veggies by the season, the cheeses by the wine you serve, and you can even make them specific to the holidays you’re hosting for. Think chocolate covered strawberries for a Valentine’s date night, and cranberries for a Christmas board while watching festive movies!

The problem with charcuterie boards are actually in the choices you get. From the board you use to the spread you add to it, an enormous range of choices are in front of you, and you want them to be right! The good news? A charcuterie board is never wrong, no matter what you put on it.

The charcuterie was originally started to preserve meat, and few people know that! Pork was always a traditional option – bacon strips, ham slices, and sausages are all staples for some charcuterie boards.

So, let’s dive right in and talk about how you can make the perfect charcuterie board, no matter the occasion!

The Board

The very first thing to consider when you are putting together a charcuterie board is the actual board itself. You can get them in a range of sizes and materials, and the size you choose should be geared toward how many people you’re making food for. So, if you want to make sure that you’re not running out of room, get a large flat board that will fit the number of people you are trying to feed.

If you want to be fancy, you can even use an actual dining table as a board itself! It’s perfect as a solution for parties with a large group, and you can dress the table up in any way you like. Wooden cutting boards and slate boards work really well as charcuterie boards, so you can use what you have if you don’t want to go out and buy something specific.

The Assembly

The most important elements for a charcuterie board are in the colors and the textures used on the platter. If you want it to look good, you need to assemble it correctly. When you are choosing your ingredients, you want them to pop – balancing the colors of the meat with the cheese is one thing, but you want to make sure that your Toufayan pita bread is well balanced too.

All of these meat and cheese options need a carb-base to balance them out so you can add a variety of pita, wraps and bagels. To add something more to the board, make sure that you choose biscuits and fruits for that sweet touch – we’ll go into the whole balance of sweet and savory a little later on.

To assemble your board, start with the bowls. You need bowls with dips, jams, mustards, preserves and more to ensure that your board has a little of everything. If you are serving pate, you might also want to present it in a small bowl to allow your guests to scoop easily.

If you start with your bowls, you can surround these with snacks like pickled onions and fresh olives, gherkin slices, and even salted and roasted nuts. Bowls offer your charcuterie board something new, and they are a pleasant touch if you want to design something beautiful.

The Food

The main event of the charcuterie board is the food. You want to impress people, and the best way that you can do that is with the right options! Adding in cured and smoked meats as the first layer is a smart choice, and then you can surround these meats with a range of cheeses. Add cheese knives to the side of the board, too, so that you can ensure that your guests don’t have to use their fingers.

You want to add the larger blocks on the outside of the board first and go smaller as you move inwards. This will help you space out your board and make it look pretty. Salami, smoked ham and chorizo slices are a great start, and you can visit your local delis and stores for your favorite options.

The Drinks

The last thing to consider when you are putting together a charcuterie board is the drinks you serve with it. You want wines that complement the meats and cheeses, and you want to have chilled water with sliced fruits to go along with it.

Wine will always make a charcuterie board what it is, and there are some earthy red wine options that will go well with some options on the board. If you want it to be really special, think about a glass of chilled champagne. This will provide you with the balance you need to make your charcuterie board special!

Whether you serve up several boards with different flavors and themes or you are looking to serve a little plate for a movie night, you can create a meal everyone will like. Adding Toufayan Bakery bread options to your charcuterie board is the best thing that you can do to get started with something delicious.

With bakeries in NJ and Florida, we make products that can be found across supermarkets throughout the US and Canada. Your charcuterie board is going to be perfect when you have the delicious pita that we sell. Now that you know how to make yours, you can get started on something delicious!